The Ministry of Energy, Petroleum and Mines concluded the first phase of its national tour dedicated to promoting local content in the extractive sector this Friday in Thiès. This phase was marked by an awareness-raising workshop bringing together stakeholders in the region's mining sector.

Presiding over the meeting, Minister Birame Souleye Diop stressed the need to place local content at the heart of Senegal's economic transformation.

"Local content is not just a principle. It is a requirement of economic sovereignty, social justice and collective responsibility," he said.

According to the minister, Senegal is entering a new phase of its development, marked by the exploitation of its natural resources: mines, oil and gas, which must now generate concrete opportunities for the people.

He stressed that the country has significant potential to transform its economy, making local content a strategic lever for building a competitive, inclusive and sustainable economy, in line with the Senegal 2050 Vision.

Within this framework, this approach aligns with the vision of the country's highest authorities, who have made local content a cornerstone of the structural transformation of the national economy. According to the minister, the objective is to enhance the value of resources, develop local skills, and ensure that the economic benefits primarily accrue to the Senegalese people.

The minister also reiterated that this ambition relies on a collective mobilization involving the State, businesses, local authorities and training institutions.

Addressing businesses, Birame Souleye Diop made a strong appeal: “Local content cannot be decreed; it is built with you. Your commitment is essential. You must be agents of transformation, by further integrating local skills, developing partnerships with national companies, and investing in human capital.”

Birame Souleye Diop emphasized that the choice of Thiès to conclude this first phase of the tour was not accidental. He stated that the region, rich in mineral resources such as phosphate, limestone, and zircon, constitutes a strategic hub for the development of the extractive sector in Senegal.

At the end of this awareness-raising phase, the minister announced the launch of a new action-oriented stage. This will involve, in particular, better integration of local businesses into value chains, strengthening national skills, and increased coordination between the various stakeholders.

He further assured that the Government will remain committed to supporting this dynamic, through the strengthening of the regulatory framework, support for businesses and the promotion of Senegalese human capital, while ensuring compliance with local content obligations.

In conclusion, the minister reiterated that local content is a collective responsibility and an essential lever for ensuring the beneficial exploitation of natural resources.

“Senegal has the resources. Senegal has the talent. It is now up to us to create the conditions so that these riches sustainably benefit the Senegalese people. Local content must no longer be an ambition. It must be a visible reality in our territories,” he stated.